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If they Tell the Story
In If they Tell the Story, Azuka fights for her soul, in a society that raised her to find her worth in a marriage and motherhood. In this deeply moving story, she loses everything and as she is about to lose herself to it all, she finds herself again, in the strangest of ways. Set partly in rural Eastern Nigeria and urban Lagos, the story shows how traditions hardly change even in cities, how despite the evolution of roles in the society, women are still expected to stoop to conquer. When they choose not to be a stoop again, they have to pay the price - estrangement, emotional blackmail, physical abuse, and more.This is a story of how shackling deep-seated beliefs are passed down, from one generation to another. Azuka soon learns that the job of unshackling oneself brings pain, attracts attention, yet, it has to be done. It is the story of a woman who dares to question beliefs and the price she pays for daring.
304 pages, Paperback
Published June 12, 2020
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January 4, 2023
If they tell the story follows the life of Azuka, a girl who lives and struggles with her mother and sister in Igunze, a town in Igbo land. The book dissects her life in secondary school and university, her oath with Chima, her fiance and her journey to Lagos.
Azuka eventually marries Nduka, a man she met at her place for work. Their marriage soon changes from what she envisaged and she's constantly beaten, abused and raped by him.
Despite all this, Azuka yearns for motherhood and believes it will change her marriage for the better. Azuka becomes depressed when that doesn't work out as planned and is close to ending it all.
This story explores poverty, domestic violence, mental health, love, hate, betrayal and the desire to escape.
The book is 300 pages long and is split into 3 parts. The first part titled dreams tells Azuka's struggle to get an education and ends when she gets a job at a travel and tour company.
Part 2 titled reality explores her relationship and marriage to Nduka while the 3rd part highlights her journey through motherhood and wraps up the story.
Azuka fights all her life to overcome the challenges life throws at her. She struggles at every point till she can't deal any longer.
The dynamics of marriage was examined and we see that public opinions matter a lot, sometimes to the detriment of a couple.
"Listen to me. I cannot bear the taunts that will follow."
Azuka's mother tries to convince her to remain in her husband's house even after she explains her predicament. Azuka's mother tells Azuka to endure because she doesn't want to be mocked by the entire community.
"You see; my husband is the kind of person that likes his privacy. He doesn't like being crowded."
Azuka loses her friendships, her job, her self esteem and almost loses her life to marriage.
My favourite character was Bode, Azuka's colleague. I enjoyed the progression of their relationship and how Bode seemed to know what was wrong with her and was able to put a smile on her face all the time.
Overall, it's a detailed book that delves into many important themes and I recommend this to everyone.
If you enjoyed reading stay with me by Ayobami Adebayo, you should check this out.
Ratings: 4/5
Azuka eventually marries Nduka, a man she met at her place for work. Their marriage soon changes from what she envisaged and she's constantly beaten, abused and raped by him.
Despite all this, Azuka yearns for motherhood and believes it will change her marriage for the better. Azuka becomes depressed when that doesn't work out as planned and is close to ending it all.
This story explores poverty, domestic violence, mental health, love, hate, betrayal and the desire to escape.
The book is 300 pages long and is split into 3 parts. The first part titled dreams tells Azuka's struggle to get an education and ends when she gets a job at a travel and tour company.
Part 2 titled reality explores her relationship and marriage to Nduka while the 3rd part highlights her journey through motherhood and wraps up the story.
Azuka fights all her life to overcome the challenges life throws at her. She struggles at every point till she can't deal any longer.
The dynamics of marriage was examined and we see that public opinions matter a lot, sometimes to the detriment of a couple.
"Listen to me. I cannot bear the taunts that will follow."
Azuka's mother tries to convince her to remain in her husband's house even after she explains her predicament. Azuka's mother tells Azuka to endure because she doesn't want to be mocked by the entire community.
"You see; my husband is the kind of person that likes his privacy. He doesn't like being crowded."
Azuka loses her friendships, her job, her self esteem and almost loses her life to marriage.
My favourite character was Bode, Azuka's colleague. I enjoyed the progression of their relationship and how Bode seemed to know what was wrong with her and was able to put a smile on her face all the time.
Overall, it's a detailed book that delves into many important themes and I recommend this to everyone.
If you enjoyed reading stay with me by Ayobami Adebayo, you should check this out.
Ratings: 4/5
Displaying 1 of 1 review